laptops with wireless thingy

Pam · Guru

laptops with wireless thingy

Cruising Granny · Guru

I think they both need to have blue tooth to get it together.
There must be a USB port on your computer which will connect a cable to the printer to get it happening.
I have wireless broadband with the USB "dongle", but my printer is attached to the comp.
Maybe you have to install the bluetooth between the 2 devices. Good luck with that.

Esmeralda · Guru

Pam I have a Targus 4 USB thingy which attaches to the USB slot on the laptop - mine has the USB cords from the keyboard and the printer and the wireless USB for the mini mouse plugged in leaving a spare - which I used to plug in the USB for my wireless connection but have the new Telstra one plugged in separately. I love that word thingy!!
Es

milo · Guru

if you have a new modem ie about 12 months old they might have a built in router
so you can just use it as a wifi spot, , my modem has a built in router, and i can use the net any
where, but it also has the either net ports, ie those leads that plug into your laptop then modem/router
if you have a modem but no router you can buy a router that will plug into your modem, then use the wireless router as your acces point.. i know its confusing, but its great when they work..

bill12 · Guru

I don,t think you need anything to get your printer to work-all you have to do is get the laptop to recognise the printer.Turn on the wireless feature on your laptop and then the printer, and go to control panel andonto bluetooth devices. Scan for other wireless machines.The whole idea of wireless networks is no wires, eg no leads.Try it and see.Bill

-- Edited by bill12 on Saturday 25th of June 2011 06:04:33 AM

jimricho · Guru

I have an HP printer that has provision for connecting to a wireless local area network. If it's the same as yours it needs a network hub, (aka network gateway) in my case the hub is built into a broadband modem (the one that connects to the internet via a phone line). I'm able to get my laptop to connect to my desktop (and my landline internet connection) via the hub/modem via wireless connection without any problems. (When I'm away I just connect the laptop to the internet via a NextG phone, a dongle would do the same job.)

The printer needs to be set up as a network printer to work via the wireless connection. I had difficulty getting this work properly so I gave up and just use the printer as a local printer connected via the usual USB cable.

I guess the crux of that long winded story is forget about a wireless connection and just hook your printer into your computer with the USB cable. It'll save a lot of messing around.

PeterD · Guru

What are these "thingies" Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or one of each? If they are one of each they won't talk to each other. If the two are the same type of wireless device then they will talk to each other. The only time you need an extra piece of equipment is if you have three devices or more in the network. "Thing" does not tell us much, if you want technical advice you should really give the correct name.

jimricho · Guru

PeterD wrote:
What are these "thingies" Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or one of each? If they are one of each they won't talk to each other. If the two are the same type of wireless device then they will talk to each other. The only time you need an extra piece of equipment is if you have three devices or more in the network. "Thing" does not tell us much, if you want technical advice you should really give the correct name.

If it's the same as mine it's an 802.11g ethernet connection.

I have to agree with your point about being more specific than a "thingy". It's impossible to give any meaningful help when devices are described in this manner or when devices are incorrectly referred to. A common one is when battery chargers and inverters are misnamed. If one isn't sure what the device is, just check what's on the label, or the box it came in.

It's not that I don't wish to be helpful, it's just that my mind reading skills are very poor.

Pam · Guru

My laptop has both wireless and blue tooth. The printer has wireless. When both are switched on the computer recognises that the printer is there but does not print unless I plug in the USB.
Sorry about the vagueness of my query. Just thought someone may be able to tell me if I need an extra device to make the connection work.

jimricho · Guru

Hi Pam

As Bluetooth is not an option (the printer doesn't have Bluetooth) I think you may need to set up a network (aka LAN or Local Area Network), it's difficult to tell without being in front of your computer. This is done via the computer's software. According to PeterD you don't need any additional hardware. In my setup I do as I have two computers and a landline internet connection. If you wish to set up a network you may need "on the spot" assistance.

My suggestion is to just take the easy option and continue to use the USB cord. I can't see that setting up a printer as a network device serves any purpose unless access is required from multiple computers.

cheers

Jim

PeterD · Guru

Pam wrote:
My laptop has both wireless and blue tooth. The printer has wireless. When both are switched on the computer recognises that the printer is there but does not print unless I plug in the USB.

That makes things a little clearer. You have Wi-Fi on both machines, you now just need someone with the intimate knowledge to make them talk to each other. I leave that to the relatives.

Pam · Guru

Thanks for your responses. I will continue to use the usb cable for now.